The 1795 inventory of furniture belonging to Louis XVI's sister-in-law, Marie-Thérèse of Savoy, comtesse d'Artois (1756-1805), gives a description of a similar desk, or bonheur du jour, which may refer to this piece. The drawer has a compartment that originally held an inkwell, a sponge trough, and box for sand. Its hinged writing surface could be lifted up, and writing implements could be stored underneath.